The same could be said for when Twitter and Facebook first started. They had no idea how to monetise their contents but now they are generating a lot of solid and steady revenues.

The benefit of Steem is that we have the aforementioned to learn from AND MORE! Steem in itself could be used as the currency for its own online markets. And if Steemit truly takes off then major establishments would want a presence on the Steemit, turning it into a very lucrative social media real estate!

This is just off the top of my head and before an revolutionary utilisation comes into play!